Pattern wheel



Feb. 5, 1963 R. SCHMIDT PATTERN WHEEL Filed Jan. '19. 1960 Fig. I

2 Sheets-Sheet l R. s cHMlnT Feb. 5, 1963,

v PATTERN WHEEL Filed Jan. 19. 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f @il l' United States Patent 3,076,325 PATTERN WHEEL Richard Schmidt, Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany, assigner to Franz Morat G.m.b.H., Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany Filed Jan. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 3,439 13 Claims. (Cl. (S6-50) The present invention relates to a pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine, and more particularly to a pattern wheel which can be set by electromagnetic operating means to effect the knitting of desired patterns.

It is known to provide in a pattern wheel of a circular knitting machine, a plurality of radially shiftable needle operating jacks which are set by manual operation to effect the knitting of selected patterns. However, the pattern wheel arrangements of the prior art are incapable of shifting the knitting machine from a condition producing a ribbed knitted fabric to la condition producing a plain knitted fabric by an automatic or semi-automatic operation.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a pattern wheel which can be set during the knitting operation to selectively effect knitting of a plain fabric or of a ribbed fabric.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a patternwheel which is set by electromagnetic means to effect the knitting of plain or ribbed fabrics.

Known knitting machines include clearing means for clearing the machine by returning the needles, which were shifted by the pattern Wheel, to a normal position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pattern wheel which includes a clearing means which effects clearing of the pattern wheel of a pattern set there- Another object of the present invention is to provide Ia pattern Wheel with clearing means which return the jacks which operate the lever to an inoperative position after the needles have performed their desired operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide in a pattern wheel clearing means which can be moved between an inoperative position and a clearing position `to effect clearing of the pattern wheel by retraction of the jacks during revolution of the pattern wheel, when 'ing means, and that unnecessary movements of the needles are avoided, which may have detrimental influence on the quality of the knitted fabric.

It is therefore another object of the present invention i to provide a pattern controlling arrangement of simple and compact construction which takes up little space in the machine.

With these objects in view, the present invention relates to a pattern Wheel for circular knitting machines and comprises a stationary support, a carrier mounted on the support for turning movement, a set of needle operating jack members mounted on the carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for raising associated needles, actuating means, preferably a cam lever, mounted on the support for movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaging at least one of the operating jack members, and control means, preferably including electromagnetic means, operatively connected to the actuating means for moving the same between its inoperative and actuating positions. When the actuating means are shifted to the actuating position by the electromagnetic control means,

the operating jack members are successively engaged by the actuating means during a revolution of the carrier, so that the jack members are successively moved to the operative position of the same and effect successive shifting of the needles.

The carrier carries a set of radially projecting plates arranged in a circle and mesh with the needles so that the needles revolving with the needle cylinder effect turning of the carrier.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two electromagnetic means are provided which are selectively enengized to shift the actuating means between the operative and inoperative positions thereof. In another embodiment of the invention, spring means urge the actuating means to assume the inoperative position, andthe electromagnetic means, when energized, effects shifting of the actuating means toward the operating position. These constructions have the disadvantage that'it is necessary to maintain the electromagnetic means in energized condition for holding the actuating means in the actuating position engaging selected operating members.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a contro-l member is provided against which a spring loaded actuating member abuts. The electromagnetic means shifts the control mmeber between a position in which the control member holds the actuating means in its actuating position, and another position permitting return of the actuating means to its inoperative position under control of a spring. In this manner, energizing of the electromagnetic means is only necessary for shifting the pattern Wheel between a condition effecting knitting of ribbed fabric to a condition effecting knitting of a plain fabric.

The control member is preferably a toothed member which is shifted by the electromagnetic means between successive positions in which the actuating means engages atoo-th, or engages a recessed portion between two teeth or corresponding projections. The actuating means is in actuating position when engaging a projection, and is in its inoperative position when engaging a portion located between two projections.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FG. 1 is :a plan view of a pattern wheel according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on line II.-l1 in FIG. l; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line lil-III in FIG. 1.

Y Referring now to the drawings, a stationary housing 1 has a threaded pin 2b attached thereto to which a bushing 2c is threadedly attached. Housing 1 has an inclined bottom face 1a. Another bushing 2 is connected by pins 2a to the housing 1 so that it is non-turnable mounted on the housing, but can be removed in axial direction together with the support plate 8 which is secured to bushing 2.

The pattern wheel is turnably mounted on bushing 2 and includes a carrier 3 which is assembled of severa parts held together by threaded means.

Plate members 4 are secured to the carrier 3 and arranged in a circle around the periphery thereof. The cir- `cumferential spacing between the plate members 4 corresponds to the spacing of the needles on the needle cylinder of the circular knitting machine, and plate members 4 project between the needles meshing in the same so that the turning needle cylinder acts on the plate members 4 to turncarrier 3 on bushing 2 and relative to the stationary support 8.

Intermediate, and alternating with the fixed plate members 4, a set of plate-shaped needle operating jack members are arranged in a circle whose center coincides with the axis of rotation of carrier 3, and with the center of the circle along Which plate members 4 are arranged. Each needle operating jack member 5 is mounted on carrier 3 for movement in radial direction between a re` tracted inoperative position, and an outer operative position for engaging and raisingV an associated needle of the circle of needles which surrounds the needle cylinder. At the points of the circumference Where no jack mernbers are operative, the needles are not raised during the operation, and remain in a lower position.

Each of the jack members 5 has a projection 6 which projects above the carrier 3 and into a plane in which an actuating lever means 9 is located. In FIG. 2, only the portion 9a of the actuating lever means 9 is visible, and such portion is connected by a spring 11 to a pin 12 mounted in the stationary support part 8.

The actuating lever means 9 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin l10 which is Asecured to the support part 8. The other arm 9b of actuating lever means 9 is urged by spring 11 toward the periphery of a toothed member 13 which is turnably mounted on support part 8 by means of a pivot pin 13a. The end portion of lever arm 9b is tapered to tit into the recessed portion between two adjacent teeth or projections of the toothed member Portion 9b has also an abutting face cooperating with a corresponding abutting face on each projection of member 13 so that actuating lever means 9 is held in the position illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1 when portion 9b is located opposite a tooth of the toothed wheel 13. When` toothed wheel 13 turns half a step, the tapered portion 9b passes into a recess, and actuating lever means 9 assumes the position shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1. In this inoperative position, the outer edge of portion 9b of actuating lever 9 is located inwardly of the circle defined by the inner edges of projections 6 of jack members 5. For the sake of clarity, projections 6 are only schematically indicated in FIG. l. In the 'operative position shown in broken lines, one arm 9b of actuating lever means 9 projects into the circular path lalong which the inner edges of projections 6 of jacks 5 mover during rotation of carrier 3 with members 4 and This arm is suitably shaped to have a camming actionl onthev moving needle operating jack members 5, '6, so 4that at least one jack member, and normally a group lof jack members, is advanced from the normal inoperative position to an outwardly located operative position in which operating jack members 5 effect raising of the respective associated needles. Since all jack members Y5 6 successively pass actuating lever means 9 during rotation of ythe pattern wheel, any operating jack member ca n be shifted during a revolution of the pattern wheel.

`'Ifhe toothedwheel 13 is operated by a pawl v14 which ,is'urgedbyaspring 15 on the support part 8 to engage toothed wheel 13. Pawl `14 is'pivotally mounted by ra pin 15a on a lever 16 mounted on supportV part 8 bya l*pivot pin`1`7. pin 21'is'screwed into lever 16, andl pro- ,jectswthrough a transverse `slot y8a in supporthpart 8 into a longitudinal slot 22a provided in a lever arm 22 which iis located outside of the support part 8 and is mounted .-onthe'same turntable about a pivot pin 23. Lever arm 22 is secured to the armature 25 of electromagnetic means 18 which issecured to the support part 8. A spring 19 is secured to a projecting arm 24 of lever arm 22, and urges lever arm 22 to turn in 'clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 into the position illustrated in solid lines, so that lever 16 is normally held in the position .illustrated in dash-dot lines in FIG. 1. When electromagnetic means 18 is energized, the attracted armature 25 effects a short angular movement of lever arm 22 in counterclockwise direction so that lever 16 is shifted to the position illustrated in broken lines, which is possible' since pin 21 moves in the transverse slot 8a. Such movement of lever arm 16 shifts pawl 14 from the position illustrated in dash-dot lines to the position illustrated in broken lines, and eiects turningof toothed control wheel 13 for half a step, that is the angle between a tooth, and a recessed portion between two teeth. In the event that portion 9b of actuating lever means 9 is located on a tooth, shifting of wheel 13 by pawl 14 will permit portion 9b to pass into a recess of wheel 13 and to assume the inoperative position illustrated in dash-dot lines in FIG. l. If electromagnetic means 18 is de-energized, springs 19 and 15 will restore the movable control elements 22, 16, and 14 to the initial position while actuating lever means 9 remains in `its position abutting a tooth, or a recess, respectively of the toothed control wheel 13.

The pattern wheel of the illustrated embodiment is set in the following manner: In the operative position illustrated in broken lines, the camming arm of actuating lever means 9 is held by a projecting tooth of the toothed wheel 13 in its operative position projecting into the circular path of movement of the projection 6 of operating jack members 5. Plate members 4 are engaged by the needles, so that carrier 3 turns with the revolving needles. As projections 6 pass the camming arm of actuating lever means 9, the respective operating jack members are successively advanced to operative positions engaging the butts of the needles, and since the plane in which the jack members are located is inclined to the plane in which the needle butts move raising of the needles is effected, and consequently a desired ribbed pattern is produced` inVA the knitted fabric since only the raised needles catch the fed yarn.

When it is desired to produce a plain fabric, the electromagnetic means 18 is energized, so that armature 25 is attracted, and shifts levers 22 and 16 from the posi,- tio`n illustrated in dash-dot lines to the position illustrated in broken lines, effecting shifting of toothed wheel 13 through an angle corresponding to half the pitch angle between two teeth of toothed wheel 13, so that the tapered projection 9b falls into a recess between two teeth under the action of spring 11. The camming arm 9b of the actuating lever means 9 is retracted to an inoperative position shown in dash-dot lines in FIG. l and located outside of the path of movement of projections 6 of needle operating jack members 5. Since the jack members 5, 6 remain in the inoperative retracted position, the needles are not raised, and a plain fabric is knitted during the turning movement of the pattern wheel. When electromagnetic means 18 is de-energized, actuating lever 9 nevertheless remains in its inoperative position, while levers 22, 16, and pawl 14 are restored by springs 19 and 15 to the positions illustrated in dash-dot lines.

When electromagnetic means 18 is again energized, another shifting movement of pawl 14 is effected, and

.toothed wheel 13 is turned half a step so that actuating lever means 9 is turned to its operative position shown in broken lines since-portion 9b abuts the tip of a tooth of wheel 13. Actuating lever means 9 now remains in such operativeposition, even after electromagnetic means 18 is again de-energized and after the control levers 14, 16, 22 assume their initial positions. A pivot pin 27 on supportV part 8 turnably supports a clearing cam means 26 'for movement between an outer inoperative position 26b spaced from the circular path of movement of pro jections 6, `and an inner clearing position 26a engaging the outer edges of projections 6 of operating jack members 5 in advanced positions for returning the same in inward direction to the normal inoperative positions thereof.

When clearing means 26 is in its clearing position, and

projections 6, each shifted operating jack member 5 is erw, la

returned to its normal inoperative position after raising the respective needle so that electromagnetic means 18 can be repeatedly energized during one revolution of the pattern wheel to vary the fabric. If it is desired to produce a ribbed pattern during several revolutions of the pattern Wheel, clearing means 26 is shifted to its inoperative position out of the path of movement of projections 6. However, clearing means 26 may also be permanently fixed in the clearing position 26a so that the pattern wheel is always cleared after a revolution.

It is evident that the electromagnetic means 18 can be energized by actuation of a switch in the circuit of the Winding of the electromagnetic means 13, so that a fully automatic operation is possible. The clearing means 26 can also be electromagnetically operated by connecting it to the armature of an electromagnetic means, not shown, mounted on supports 1, 8 on which the pattern wheel is mounted.

From the above description of one embodiment of the present invention, it will become apparent that the actuating means 9 is controlled by control means which include the electromagnetic means 18, 25, the levers 22, 16, the pawl 14, and the turnable control member 13, as well as springs 11, and 19.

A further embodiment of the present invention includes the actuating lever means 9 with the control spring 11 as illustrated in FIG. 1. An electromagnetic means is again provided, and 'directly connected to actuating lever means 9 to shift the same against the action of spring 11, and to hold actuating lever means 9 in the shifted position. However, this embodiment has the disadvantage that the electromagnetic means must remain energized as long as actuating means 9 is in the respective position thereof. Therefore, arresting means are preferably provided to hold actuating lever means 9 in either of its positions, and releasing means are provided for releasing the releasing means when the electromagnetic means is either energized, or de-energized.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of pattern wheels diftering from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a pattern wheel provided with electromagnetic control means, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so vfully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specilic aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: p'

1. Pattern wheel for -a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; actuating means mounted on said support for movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaging at least one of said yoperating mem-bers and successively engaging all said operating members during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; control means movable between at least two control positions and operatively connected to said actuating means so that said actuating means is moved to, and held in said inoperative and actuating positions, respectively, when said control means moves to said control positions, respectively; and electromagnetic means operatively connected to said control means for moving the same between said control positions and being mounted on said carrier.

2. Pattern wheel for -a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; actuating means mounted on said support for movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaging at least one of said operating members and successively engaging all said operating members during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said Ioperating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; clearing cam means mounted on said support trailing said .actuating means in the direction of rotation of said car rier for engaging -at least one of said operating members in said operative position and -for successively engaging all operating members in operative positions during a revolution of said carrier for successively returning oper ating members in said operative position to said inoperative position; control means movable between at least two control position-s and operatively connected to said actuating means so that said actuating means is moved to, and held in said inoperative and actuating positions, respectively, when said control means moves to said control positions, respectively; and electromagnetic means operatively connected to said control means for moving the same between said control positions and being mounted on said carrier.

3. Pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said'carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; actuating meansl mounted on said support for movement between an` inoperative position and an actuating position engaging at least one of said operating members and successively engaging all said oper ating members `during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; clearing cam means mounted on said support trailing said actuating means in the direction of rotation of said carrier, said clearing cam means being shiftable between an inoperative position and an operative position 'for engaging at least one of said operating mem-bers in said operative position and for successively engaging all operating members in operative positions during a revolution of said carrier for successivelyV returning operating members in said operative position to said inoperative position; control means lmovable between at least two control positions and operatively connected to said actuating means so that said actuating means is moved to, and held in said inoperative and actuating positions, respectively, when said control means moves to said control positions, respectively; and electromagnetic means operatively connected to said control means for moving the Y same between said control positions and Ibeing mounted on said carrier.

4. Pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine, cornprising, in combination, a stationary supp-ort; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said carrier for Iradial movement between an inoperativeposition and an operative position for operating associated needles; -actuating means mounted on said supsoreness 7 portfforf-moveme'nt between an inoperative position and *an actuating position engaging at least one of said oper- -ating -members and successively engaging allsad operat- "ing members during a revolution of said carrier for successively movng'fsaid operating members fromisaid in- -operative -position to said operative position of the same; control means movable between at least two control positions; biasing means connected to said actuating means 'forluiging-the same to engage said control meanssothat said `actuating lmeans is moved to, and held in said inoperative and actuating positions, respectively, when said control means moves to said control-positions, respective- '1y; and electromagneticmeans operatively connected to said 'control means for` moving the same between said control positions and being mounted on said carrier.

5. Pattern wheel for a circularknitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a'set of 4needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted onsaid carrier for radial movement between an inner linoperative position and an outer operative position Yfor 'operating associated needles; actuating cam means 4mounted on said support inwardly of said operating YAmembers for movement between an inoperative position "and anv actuating position engaging a group of said oper- \ating members Vand successively engaging all said Voper- *ating membersduring a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; control means shiftable between at least two conutrol positions; biasing means connected'to said actuating 'cam means for urging the-same `to about said control Hmeans'so that said actuating cam means is moved to, and held in said inoperative and actuating positions when said 'control means moves to said control positions, respectively; and electromagnetic means operatively connected to said controlm-eans for moving the same between'said control positions and being mounted -on said carrier.

6. Pattern'wheel for a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationarysupport; -a carrier --mounted'on said support for'turning movement; a set of 'needle operating 'members arranged in a circle and mounted onsaid carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position-for op- `erating associated needles; actuating' cam means mounted Von said support for movement between an inoperative Iposition and an actuatingposition engaging a group of said operating members andsuccessivelyfengaging'all said operating members during a-revolution of lsaid carrier for successively movingsaid operating members from said inoperative position to-said operative position ofthe i same; spring means connected to-'said actuating cam means and urging the same tov said inoperative positionja toothed wheel turn-ably mounted on said support and being engaged by said actuating cam means at the periphery thereof under the action 'ofv saidspring meanspsa'id actuating cam meansbeing in one of said'po'sitions thereof when engaging a tooth of said toothed wheel, and lbeing in the other ofsaid positions thereof when Vengaging'a-recessed portion between adjacent teeth of said toothV wheel; pawl means movablymounted on said support and'engaging the periphery of said toothed wheel; and Aelectromagnetic means operatively connected to said pawl'means for shifting the same to effect stepwise movement of said vtoothed wheel through 'anangle corresponding to the angle between `a tooth and an 'adjacent recessed portion of said toothed wheel so that upon energization of said electromagnetic means, said actuating'cam meansis urged -by said toothed wheelfto assume eithersaid actuating position or said inoperative position.

l 7. Pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine, com- 4prising, in combination, a -stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members 'arranged in circle and mountedon said carrier for radial movement Vbetween an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; Vactuating cam means mounted on -said support for movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaginga group of said operating members and successively engaging all said operating members during a revolution of said -carrier r`for successively movingV said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; spring means connected to said actuating cam means and urging the same to said in operative position; a toothed wheel turnably mounted on said support and being engaged -by said lactuating cam means at the periphery thereof under the action of said spring means, said actuating cam means being in one of said positions thereof when engaging a tooth of said toothed wheel, and being in the other of said positions thereof when engaging a recessed portion between adjacent teeth of said tooth wheel; a lever pivotally mounted on said support;

-pawl means pivotally mounted on said lever and being spring-loaded to engage the periphery of said toothed wheel; `and electromagnetic means mounted on said support carrier and including an armature having a lever arm operatively connected to said lever for shifting the same with said pawl means toefiect stepwise movement of said toothed wheel through an angle corresponding to the angle between a tooth and an adjacent recessed portion of said 4toothed wheel so that upon energization of said electro-magnetic means, said actuating cam means is urged by said toothed wheel to assume either said actuating position or said inoperative position.

8. A pattern wheel as set forth in claim 7 wherein said lever has a projection; wherein said lever arm of said armature has a slot extending in direction of said lever and receiving said projection.

9. A pattern wheel as set `forth in claim 7 wherein said actuating cam means is a double-armed lever pivotally mounted on said support; wherein said spring means is connected to one arm of said double-armed lever, and wherein the other arm of said double-armed lever has a tapered portion litting into the recessed portions of said toothed wheel, said tapered portion having an abutment face for abutting on the ends of the teeth of said toothed wheel.

l0. A pattern wheellas setl forth in claim 7 and including aset of plate members arranged in a circle fixed to said carrier and adapted to engage needles rotating in a circle so that said carrier is turned; said needle operating members b eing narrow plates slidably guided on said lcarrier for radial movement and being located intermediate said plate members.

ll. Pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine,

comprising, lin combination, a stationary support; a carrier mounted on vsaid support for turning movement; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and `mounted on said carrier for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; lactuating cam means mounted on said supportfor movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaging a group'of said operating members and'successively engaging all'said operating members during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; springm'eans connected to said actuating lcam means and urging the same to said inoperative position; a control member turnably mounted on said suplport for movement between at least two positions and tively connected to said control member `for shifting the same so that upon energization of said electromagnetic means, .said actuating cam means is urged by said control mem-ber to assume either said actuating position or said inoperative position.

12. Pattern wheel for a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, la stationary support; a carrier mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of plate members arranged in a circle xed to said carrier circumferentially spaced from each other, said plate members being adapted to engage needles revolving in a circle so that said carrier is turned; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said carrier intermediate said plate members for radial movement between an inoperative position and an operative position lfor operating Kassociated needles, each of said needle operating members having a projecting portion; actuating cam means mounted on said support for movement between van inoperative position and an actuating position engaging the projecting portion of a group of said operating members and successively en- `gaging all said operating members during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving `s aid operating members from .sai-d inoperative position to'said operative position of the same; spring means connected to said actuating oam means and urging the same to said inoperative position; a control member turnably mounted on said support for movement between at least two positions and being engaged by said actuating cam means under the `action of said spring means, said actua-ting cam means being rigidly held in one of said positions thereof when engaging said control member in one position, and being rigidly held in the other of said positions thereof when engaging said control member in the other position; and electromagnetic means mounted on said carrier and opera-tively connected to said control member for shifting the same so that upon energization of said electromagnetic means, said actuating cam means is urged by said control member to assume either said actuating position or said inoperative position.

13. Pattern Wheel for a circular knitting machine, comprising, in combination, a stationary support; a carriet mounted on said support for turning movement; a set of plate members arranged in a circle xed to said carrier circumferentially spaced from each other, said plate members ybeing adapted to engage needles revolving in a circle so that said carrier is turned; a set of needle operating members arranged in circle and mounted on said carrier intermediate said plate members for radial lmovement between an inoperative position and an operative position for operating associated needles; each of said needle operating members having a projecting portion; actuating cam means mounted on said support for movement between an inoperative position and an actuating position engaging the projecting portion of a group of said operating members and successively engaging all said operating members during a revolution of said carrier for successively moving said operating members from said inoperative position to said operative position of the same; clearing means mounted on said support trailing said actuating means in the directio-n of rotation of said carrier for engaging said projecting portion of at least one of said operating members in said operative position and for successively engaging all operating members in operative positions during a revolution of said carrier for successively returning operating members in said operative position to said inoperative position; spring means connected to said actuating cam means and urging the same to said inoperative position; a toothed wheel turnably mounted on said support and being engaged by said actuating cam means at the periphery thereof under the action of said spring means, said :actuating cam means being rigidly held in one of said positions thereof when engaging a tooth of said toothed Wheel, and being rigidly held in the other of said positions thereof when engaging a recessed portion between adjacent -teeth of said toothed wheel; pawl means `movably mounted on said support and engaging the `means is urged by said'toothed wheel to assume either said actuating position or said inoperative position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,025,463 Lombardi Dec. 24, 1935 2,094,660 Lombardi Oct. 5, 1937 2,611,253 Diem Sept. 23, 1952 

13. PATTERN WHEEL FOR A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A STATIONARY SUPPORT; A CARRIER MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR TURNING MOVEMENT; A SET OF PLATE MEMBERS ARRANGED IN A CIRCLE FIXED TO SAID CARRIER CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED FROM EACH OTHER, SAID PLATE MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE NEEDLES REVOLVING IN A CIRCLE SO THAT SAID CARRIER IS TURNED; A SET OF NEEDLE OPERATING MEMBERS ARRANGED IN CIRCLE AND MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER INTERMEDIATE SAID PLATE MEMBERS FOR RADIAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN OPERATIVE POSITION FOR OPERATING ASSOCIATED NEEDLES; EACH OF SAID NEEDLE OPERATING MEMBERS HAVING A PROJECTING PORTION; ACTUATING CAM MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN AN INOPERATIVE POSITION AND AN ACTUATING POSITION ENGAGING THE PROJECTING PORTION OF A GROUP OF SAID OPERATING MEMBERS AND SUCCESSIVELY ENGAGING ALL SAID OPERATING MEMBERS DURING A REVOLUTION OF SAID CARRIER FOR SUCCESSIVELY MOVING SAID OPERATING MEMBERS FROM SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID OPERATIVE POSITION OF THE SAME; CLEARING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT TRAILING SAID ACTUATING MEANS IN THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION OF SAID CARRIER FOR ENGAGING SAID PROJECTING PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID OPERATING MEMBERS IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION AND FOR SUCCESSIVELY ENGAGING ALL OPERATING MEMBERS IN OPERATIVE POSITIONS DURING A REVOLUTION OF SAID CARRIER FOR SUCCESSIVELY RETURNING OPERATING MEMBERS IN SAID OPERATIVE POSITION TO SAID INOPERATIVE POSITION; SPRING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATING 